Theft by security worker at Logan
 

Well, I'm in the WorldClub in DTW enjoying a stiff drink.
Went to Logan this morning and had only carryons. Traveling with Mrs. WeeMileHoar on reward tickets.

Go through the security at the gate 1 area, and I put my usual things through -- laptop, briefcase, carryon. Just as I'm about to go through the x-ray machine, the security guy asks me if I have anything in my pockets.

I had forgotten to put my wallet in my briefcase, as usual. I put it in a small container for the ride through the machine.

As I come out of the scanner, I'm pulled in one direction by a wander and my bags go in another direction. My wife collects the things that come through and they take her to a table to check the laptop, etc.

I'm wanded.

We go through and stop to put my laptop away. That's when I notice I'm missing my wallet.

Check all the bags. Nothing.

Talk to NW representative who is watching -- they check all the bins, the machine, etc. Then an MP decides to call for a State Trooper. Seems that there are cameras galore hidden in light fixtures in the area.

State trooper arrives and they start watching the tapes. After watching and focusing on certain people around the machine, they finally notice a security worker pocketing my wallet.

Within a minute, my wallet is returned and they take down my phone number and free us.

I'm still a bit shaken, to be honest. But the nicest thing happened on our BOS-DTW flight. We're chatting up the FAs, and the story comes out. Free drinks for us a bit later, and toward the end of the flight, a FA brings us a bottle of wine. Awesome people aboard that flight.

I've learned my lesson. NEVER, NEVER, put any valuables through the machine unless they are inside another bag. From now on, the wallet rides in the briefcase like it usually does.

I realize that this isn't a miles story, but I hope this will make people even more wary when going through the screeners. When you're being pulled in three different directions, make sure you have all your belongings first.

WMH

Great story - glad everything turned out for you. I never take my wallet out - and have never been asked to.

WOW! I am always very careful. I have been asked to remove my wallet. I expect these scams on the streets, not in our super secure (sarcastic) airports. Am glad the State Troopers actually proved to finally be useful. I am sending this to all my traveling colleagues who don't believe they can lose their computers and now wallets. Thank you for this story. Speaks volumes for the intelligence level of the people hired to protect us by our new government controlled airport authority. Like these fools could ever stop anything.

I'm glad the camera system worked so well.

I had a very different story from a month or so ago, passing through the elite security line at EWR. I guess I was just off in la la land, being a space cadet, as it were--anyway--as I was dealing with my bags, cell phone, etc., I just left my wallet on the table in front of the x-ray machine. I went through the machine and was picking up my stuff, and I was going to walk off without my wallet, not even knowing it was missing. Then, a security agent asked me, "Excuse me, sir, what's your name?" to which I responded that I was aparsuites. She then handed me my wallet, already having checked to see that aparsuites was its rightful owner. Needless to say, I was extremely greatful, and a bit surprised at how professional she was, given the usually dissapointing level of the security people. I thanked her numerous times and went off. In retrospect, I would have liked to have gotten her name and sent in a note to commend her--I hope that she got some satisfaction out of my sincere "thanks," and that this would serve as incentive to continue to perform so well.

FYI: Unless I am mistaken, this incident took place at the NW checkpoint in Terminal E.

How much you wanna bet the worker does not get fired?


I threw a small nutty at Terminal A just this past Tuesday over putting my wallet through the machine. I made it a point to count the money and very clearly made it known that I would make life miserable for the GSC if anything was stolen.

We as frequent travellers need to start standing up for our civil rights. This nonsense HAS to stop.

You do not have to put your wallet through the X-ray. You can ask for a hand inspection. I never allow my wallet out of sight, and "out of sight" includes that X-ray machine.

JS:

Tell that to the MORON GSC (CO Employee) at Terminal A in BOS.

"Either your wallet goes through the X-Ray, or you don't fly"

When I told the MORON that there was NO FAA regulation that stated such, he then got even more arrogant.

Errrr what rights? Put your wallet in a carry-on or coat for the X-Ray machine. It's not too difficult. If I can manage to do it twice on every LON-WAS-LON itinerary (and there are LOTS, believe me), I'm sure that you can do it too!

Are you going to interpret the constitution (even though you're probably not a lawyer) to mean that you don't have to put your wallet through the machine.

Just sort it out beforehand, and deal with it! Oh, I'm sorry, does it delay you getting to the gate by 2 seconds. Sh!t happens, deal with it - many countries in the world have known what terrorism is before 11/9!

Steve

p.s. Yes, I know that I'm one of the least politically correct people around here, but I'm getting fu**ed off with people whinging about having to go through security procedures because it'll save them 2 seconds if they didn't have to do it.

Edited for spelling mistakes

[This message has been edited by steveda (edited 04-19-2002).]

Steveda, the issue is that the federal law *does not* require wallets to go through an X-ray machine. Federal law requires your belongings to be screened, and X-ray is just one of the options. Hand search is another option.

The U.S. government is supposed to be driven by law (and subsequent Court decisions), not by federal employees who make up things as they go along. Physically speaking, it's not Earth-shattering, but I think it is very important that we not allow a large number of federal employees to write and interpret federal law. That is Congress' and the federal courts' job, respectively.

Never mind the issue of illiterates brazenly interpreting federal law and the constitution, the problem here is having government agents engaging in theft and criminal behavior without repercussions. WMH was lucky to get his wallet back; will somebody going through that same checkpoint tomorrow morning be as lucky?

A valuable lesson for all of us.

We have a thing here in the US called the Constitution and a Bill of Rights.

One of those rights is the right against unlawful search and seizure. These "Random" Searches are unlawful, that's why the $5 an hour MORONS are doing them and not the police.

This has nothing to do with an extra 2 seconds. I would spend an extra hour if it really enhanced security. Problem is, NONE of the regulations put in place post 9/11 have enhanced security one bit. We are no more safe today than we were on 9/10. Only difference is that the $5 an hour MORONS will soon be $20 an hour MORONS.

I dunno what airports you use but I don't think they're on this planet. 2 seconds?? Try again - these "random security" checkpoints are causing much longer delays than that. Also, I DO NOT want to be separated from my NON-METALLIC valuables. ESPECIALLY MY ID AND CREDIT CARDS. The screeners who make people do this are arrogant fascist* scum.

*Word chosen after comments made on previous thread. This word does not apply to all screeners - just those who abuse their authority.


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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

I would file a complaint with the Secretary of Transportation and demand that they "federal employee" be fired immediately and proscecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I would also document everything that happened and contact your local ABC, NBC or CBS news affiliate.

Just because the "federal" security screeners are government employees doesn't mean they are any more thorough - or any more honest either.

Please follow up! I would consider taking legal action against the airline and the security company as well! How many times has this happened and the perpetrator has gotten away?

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"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been,and there you will forever long to return." Leonardo da Vinci

200 nights/200 legs a year

I don't understand xraying a wallet.
FOR WHAT?

After 911, unthinking I put my money clip with money and a couple of credit cards in the little tub to bypass the walkthrough. What amazed me was the saucer wide eyes the 'INSPECTORS' made at the sight of the bills! I immediately realized, this was a mistake and they were 'hungry'. Just like the guy picked up on video pocketing the wallet. Didn't they tell him the cameras were to watch the staff?

WOW!

For a knife, among other things. It would be very easy to conceal several knives in an average-sized wallet. In fact, I saw a documentary a few years ago where Steven Seagal was able to slash two people's throats very quickly with a knife concealed inside a credit card.